Suspected members of Boko Haram launched an attack on a customs facility in Geidam town, Geidam Local Government Area (LGA), resulting in the tragic death of Customs Officer Usman Gombe.
According to reports from Daily Trust, the assailants arrived at the customs house on Maine Soroa Road in a Volkswagen Golf and a Land Rover at approximately 10 p.m. on Saturday, opening fire during the attack.
“They struck when they were sure the customs officers had retired home. Panicked by the rain of bullets, the officers scampered for safety, some escaped through the gate, while others scaled the fence.
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“Unfortunately, one of the officers, Usman Gombe, was shot dead while attempting to climb the fence,” a security source said.
He noted that the attackers had set fire to the customs patrol vehicle, a generator, and a section of the customs house structure.
“This is the second time that the Boko Haram insurgents are killing the customs officers. Last month, an officer named Babalola and his junior officer were abducted and later killed by the insurgents,” he said.
Town residents informed our correspondent that the presence of Boko Haram insurgents in the vicinity of Geidam has surged in the past few days.
“They collect taxes from farmers and herdsmen a few kilometers from the town, and nobody is doing anything.
“Instead, the security operatives have relocated over 17 checkpoints into the town, where they also taxed traders that brought goods through the same route. We are in difficult condition in this town,” one of the traders alleged.